[Surveillance of risk factors for non-communicable diseases among adolescents: the experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].
This paper presents the methodology and results of the implementation of a Surveillance System for Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors in Adolescents. A random sample of 8th-grade students (n = 1,684) enrolled in municipal schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was studied. Students were asked to complete a confidential questionnaire on food consumption, physical activity, sedentary leisure-time activities, and tobacco consumption. Prevalence estimates of risk factors were calculated for the entire sample and by gender. Non-response rates ranged from 1.1 to 8.9%. The findings included low consumption of fruits (45.8%) and vegetables (20.0% and 16.5% for salads and cooked vegetables, respectively), regular consumption of soft drinks (36.7%) and candies (46.7%), extensive time on TV, computer, and videogames (71.7% spend at least 4h/day at these activities), low frequency of regular physical activity (40%), and 6.4% prevalence of smoking. Girls showed less physical activity and more smoking. The system appeared to be feasible and indicated high prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases.
Castro
Inês Rugani Ribeiro de
IR
Instituto de Nutrição Annes Dias, Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. inesrrc@uol.com.br
Cardoso
Letícia Oliveira
LO
Engstrom
Elyne Montenegro
EM
Levy
Renata Bertazzi
RB
Monteiro
Carlos Augusto
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003625:Data Collection; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology